Courtesy visit of DG National Agency to Archbishop Kaigama
Dame Julie Okah-Donli, Director General of National Agency for the Prohibition of Tracfficking in Persons (NAPTIP), with her team of collaborators, paid a courtesy visit to Archbishop Ignatius A. Kaigama, today, Monday, 13th July, 2020.
The purpose of the visit was to seek partnership with the Catholic Church and find possible areas of collaboration in the fight against trafficking and rape of persons.
NAPTIP is a specialized counter trafficking Security Agency established by the Federal Government of Nigeria since 2003 in response to the challenge of human trafficking. The agency is saddled with coordinating all laws on trafficking in persons in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, partnering with relevant organizations and institutions in the fight against human trafficking, and promoting awareness on the dangers of human trafficking.
The Director General observed that incidences of rape in the country have dramatically increased in the past few weeks, resulting in the brutal murder of some victims. Therefore, it is important to partner with the Church and other faith-based organizations in the fight against violence metted on persons.
Responding, the Archbishop commended the agency for their enthusiasm and passion, aimed at safeguarding victims of human trafficking, noting that the case of rape is not just sinful but a criminal offence, hence, the Catholic Church is willing to collaborate and partner with NAPTIP to blot out this menace.
The Archbishop also made it known to the team that the Catholic Church at the international scene is already involved in the fight against rape and trafficking of persons, citing the recent presentation of the policy on safeguarding minors and vulnerable persons in the Archdiocese of Abuja, in line with the Holy Father’s directive.
To this effect, the Archdiocese has inaugurated a committee made up of Priests, legal and medical personnel and experts in different fields who are committed and open to work with the agency in order to combat human trafficking and other similar human rights violations.
– Fr. Joseph Abu
